Srivatsa Ramaswami
If anyone studied modern yoga history or is a dedicated and serious student of yoga, one would know that the name, Krishnamacharya is huge – he is referred to as the father of modern yoga and some derivative of his teachings is practiced by many today. In fact the two of the world’s leading founders of yoga “styles” or schools, such as the much revered BKS Iyengar and Patthabi Jois, both studied under Krishnamacharya before striking out on their own with their brand and method of yoga. So upon hearing that Srivatsa Ramaswami studied with the legendary Krishnamacharya for over 30 years (!), one cannot help but to hold this dedicated and loyal teacher in high esteem.
Srivatsa Ramaswami says “my guru did not teach for just me; he was teaching me so that I can teach others” and so he is fulfilling the wishes of his guru by sharing what’s so authentic. Through his teachings, we rediscover the “art” of yoga – and the science that validates all the medical/scientific benefits to each procedures and method carried out in this practice- He made a compelling case reiterating that “yoga reaches every part of the body and mind”.
As Krishnamacharya’s longest standing student outside his immediate family, Srivatsa Ramaswami has mastered Vinyasa Krama, Vedic chanting, and Yoga therapy. He has studied the classic Yoga texts extensively, has recorded more than 35 cassettes of Sanskrit mantra, and has written four books: Yoga for the Three Stages of Life, Basic Tenets of Patanjali Yoga, The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga, and Yoga Beneath the Surface.
He has been teaching for more than 25 years in India Kalakshetra, Ramachandra Medical University, and Yoga Brotherhood. Similarly, he has taught workshops and teacher training programs in the US including the Esalen Institute, LMU Extension, Yoga Works, the Himalayan Institute, and the Chicago Yoga Center.
“Watch me first please.” (demos)
“Do you want to try?” says with a gentle grandfatherly smile. (then gives precise cues)
For a more advance asanas, he can no longer do, he will ask for a volunteer student for demo.
(So cute …says to all of us: “You can do this posture better than me – I am an old man.” – he is very modest.)
YES! Learn by doing; learn through actual practice – that’s the only way really… not from reading books (having said that see below)…here’s a very Logical methodical sequence … not too fast; not too slow – Deliberate and FOCUSED emphasizing sthira sukham asanam.
But when it comes to the lecture portion – he is such a fast speaker… My notes cannot keep up.
Recalled what my late father used to say – people who speaks really fast (and actually manages to make sense) is brilliant – reflects being a quick witted fast thinker – if that’s the case, it is fitting here. He really knows his stuff – Anyway, he speaks very fast – Then he looks over his students with a look of concern and says:
“you don’t look impressed?”
Actually we were so impressed – in awe…to hear from his wealth of knowledge.
Someone replied – ah, we are still trying to digest – or something to that effect where we all nodded.
He asks, “any questions?”
Then, he jokingly says “you have to buy my book.” (if you can’t understand or remember) ha ha ha. He laughs.
Well – I think I do have to buy his book now. While he pauses frequently – saying “how shall I say?” lost for the right word, for the right English translation, he then resumes that fast pace to cover a lot of material – all flowing (flooding?) out of his head – and he’s 76?!
My note taking could not keep up with the speed of his speech covering extensive range of knowledge only someone with dedicated practice and life experience could share.
To realize that he’s probably like the only living teacher who actually learned from the legendary guru (rereading The Heart of Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar until these books come to my possession), is quite a humbling experience. Counting my blessings to get to learn from the actual “source” – He is the authentic teacher from the “source”. The key teaching went something like (will update after notes are organized):
Yoga is a whole system and each part of the practice has real measurable health benefits.
(then went onto elaborate in the workshop, “Yoga & Internal Organs”.)
Us devotees couldn’t agree with him more from actual experience…of transformation, at a subtle to a dramatic level.
He practices what he preaches … and no doubt teaches what he practices (some parts, what he used to practice when he was a young man:) as he expertly guided the packed studio full of students with wide eyed awe – I especially loved the guidance through the Pranayama after our Asana practice.
He’s like that story of a scientist from Little Prince – shows up wearing regular clothes – no NOT Lululemon wear – and then once it’s time to start, he plods along steadily mindful of the group energy (“are you tired? you all look so tired?”), always mindful of being right on time. Honestly, I don’t know how he does it – other than with that “one-pointed focus” he spoke of – keeping track of all that pranayama breath count. Don’t let his humble demeanor and unassuming modest manners fool you – he is a true Master Teacher, a teachers’ Teacher.
